in attendance : The Steampunk World’s Fair 2013

Piscataway NJ, May 17-19 – For the fourth year in a row, Piscataway, NJ, has been the home of the Steampunk World’s Fair in May, and this year the changes were quite evident. This year saw in increase of families attending the three-day faire, which now emconpasses two hotels, the Radisson Hotel and the Embassy Suites, both next door to one another. The faire continues to grow with attendees, as this year there was not one, not two, but five overflow hotels for the attendees. Also different this year, was the inclusion of a gigantic tent this year in the parking lot between the two hotels which housed an outdoor stage set up by Circuit Six Productions, which would be packed for most of the event as performers, such as Voltaire and Steam Powered Giraffe drew in large crowds.

Events at the Steampunk World’s Fair included burlesque acts from The White Elephant Burlesque Society, a costume walk-off, discussion panels, book readings, musical performances by acts such as Ego Likeness, Frenchy, and the Punk, and even the faire’s own organizer: Jeff Mach. There was also fire performances by Hubris, the annual fashion show, absinthe tastings hosted by the different artists throughout the weekend, as well as family-friendly workshops, in case you found a moment of free time.

The fashion show on Sunday featured new designs from MayFaire Moon, Utopia Armoury, Unique Boutique, Gothic Fae, and ended with Kristin Costa’s “Joan of Arc” line, originally premiered at New York Fashion Week this past February.